Organizing Healthy ‘Pilkada’

KOMPAS/YUNIADHI AGUNG

Poll workers pick up plastic buckets that will be used for handwashing stations in the local election in the subdistrict of West Jurangmangu in South Tangerang City, Banten, on Decem-ber 8. The equipment will be distributed to 83 polling stations (TPS) within the subdistrict. South Tangerang City residents will elect a mayor and deputy mayor in the 2020 regional election. South Tangerang Mayor Airin Rachmi Diany and Deputy Mayor Benyamin Davnie have served two terms. The 2020 regional elections will be held simultaneously across the country. This year’s regional elections are conducted amid the COVID-19 pandemic, necessi-tating strict health protocol.

A smooth voting process in the 2020 regional head elections (Pilkada) demands the best efforts of all parties. Not only to ensure quality regional elections but also to prevent the formation of new COVID-19 clusters.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS— This Wednesday (9/12/2020) will be the culmination of the 2020 regional head elections. The voting process which is held amidst the high number of new Covid-19 cases must be the concern of voters and election organizers in 308 regencies/cities. Health protocols must be followed.

A total of 100,359,152 voters are on the final voters list for the 2020 regional elections, which will be held today. They will vote in 298,939 polling stations (TPS).

Also read: Protective Equipment Distributed to Meet Shortage

The 2020 regional elections were originally scheduled to be held in 309 regencies/cities for nine governor/deputy governor elections, 37 mayor/deputy mayor elections and 224 regent/deputy regent elections. However, voting in Boven Digoel regency, Papua, was postponed pending the settlement of a dispute over a KPU decision that annulled the candidate pair Yusak Yaluwo-Yakob Waremba. This candidate was annulled because the General Elections Commission (KPU) assessed that Yusak Yaluwo had not met the five-year waiting period requirement after being detained for a corruption case.

Voting in Yahukimo regency, Papua, will also potentially be postponed. According to a member of the Papua Election Supervisory Body (Bawaslu), Ronald Manoach, on Tuesday (8/12), the logistics for the elections, including the personal protective equipment (PPE), have not yet been distributed to 30 districts. The distribution was only made today.

KOMPAS/SAIFUL RIJAL YUNUS

Poll workers, assisted by local residents, install a tent used as a polling station in Makassar, South Sulawesi, on December 8. Many people are worried about the risk of coronavirus in-fection, because the 2020 simultaneous regional elections are held during the COVID-19 pandemic. Experts have warned that COVID-19 case numbers will soar after the simultane-ous regional elections held in 270 regencies and cities.

"Bawaslu will prepare recommendations for a replacement voting," said Ronald.  The head of KPU Papua, Theodorus Kossay, said that it happened because of the delay in the distribution of PPE from Jakarta.

Outside Yahukimo, the KPU acknowledged that there were difficulties in sending PPE to a number of areas due to heavy rainfall. As a solution, KPU member Pramono Ubaid Tanthowi said the local KPU borrowed PPE from other agencies. He is also sure that various problems related to logistical distribution, including PPE, have been resolved at the time of the voting.

A measure of success

KPU chairman Arief Budiman said the success of the regional elections during this pandemic would be measured by the high level of participation, implementation of safe and peaceful voting and implementing health protocols.

But, there are things that must be kept in mind, which is maintaining and implementing health protocols.

About this, Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Mahfud MD encourages voters to exercise their voting rights in the 2020 regional elections. "Don\'t forget, elections are a process to build state organizations. But, there are things that must be kept in mind, which is maintaining and implementing health protocols," he said.

Also read: PPE Absolute Requirements

Home Minister Tito Karnavian, in a coordination meeting titled "Readiness for 2020 Regional Elections Voting", in Jakarta, on Tuesday, called on voters not to create crowds after exercising their voting rights.

"Those who stay [at the TPS] are only the witnesses. Others had to return home. There must be no crowds, whether in the form of declarations, convoys, processions, etc., which could become a medium for Covid-19 transmission," said Tito.

Tito asked the Indonesian Military (TNI)-National Police (Polri), community protection officers and public order police units to help ensure compliance with health protocols.

Based on data from the Covid-19 task force, there were an additional 5,292 new cases on Tuesday (8/12). Thus, the total cases in Indonesia reached 586,842 patients. A total of 483,497 patients have recovered, 18,000 patients have died and 85,345 patients are still being treated.

KOMPAS/FERGANATA INDRA RIATMOKO

Poll workers carry equipment for the regional elections to polling station (TPS) 036 in Bibis Kulon village of Gilingan subdistrict, Banjarsari, Surakarta, Central Java, on December 8. The regional election held to elect a new mayor and deputy mayor for Surakarta will be con-ducted in 1,231 polling stations across the city.

Held during the Covid-19 pandemic, the voting this time was different from that during normal conditions. The KPU introduced 15 new things as part of health protocols implementation. Among other things, voters are required to wear masks and bring their own stationery. The arrival of the voters was also set. The voting schedule is stated on the invitation letter.

Also read: Stronger Rules for Campaign Fund Reporting Needed

In addition, to ensure that the polling station working committee (KPPS) members at the TPS are not exposed to Covid-19, the KPU requires them to have a rapid Covid-19 test. Those who are declared reactive for Covid-19 are not allowed to be on duty. If then there are more than two reactive or positive Covid-19 members, they will be replaced by other people or KPPS members from the nearest TPS. It is like what has been applied in regions organizing regional elections in West Sumatra, West Java and East Java.

Voters with Covid-19

As for those exposed to Covid-19, KPU member Ilham Saputra assured that they can still vote.

For example, in Magelang municipality, according to local KPU chairman Basmar Pirianto Amran, voters who are exposed to Covid-19 and hospitalized will be assisted by the health worker. As for those who are in self isolation at home, the assistant can be a family member, friend of voters or members of the KPPS from the closest polling station. Voters\' choices can be mentioned through phone call.

KOMPAS/FERGANATA INDRA RIATMOKO

A resident prepares banners to remind voters of the need to comply with health rules at polling station 039 (TPS) in Banjarsari subdistrict, Banjarsari district, Surakarta, Central Java, on December 8. The regional election held to elect a new mayor and deputy mayor for Sura-karta will be conducted in 1,231 polling stations across the city. Health protocol must be strictly observed so that polling stations will not turn into COVID-19 infection clusters.

Bawaslu member Mochammad Afifuddin said he hoped the 2020 regional elections can still produce useful leaders for the public. Therefore, in addition to the important health protocol to be implemented, he also asked voters to reject all forms of cheating, especially money politics.

State reputation

Elections and Democracy Association Board of Trustees member, Titi Anggraini, reminded that the state has an obligation to protect (citizens) voting rights and ensure that voters are safe from Covid-19 transmission when casting their votes at polling stations.

Also read: Strengthening COVID-19 Prevention at Polling Stations

Therefore, the discipline in health protocol implementation must be obeyed by all parties. The state as the one that decides to continue organizing regional elections during a pandemic must show its best efforts.

KOMPAS/VIDELIS JEMALI

A poll worker at polling station 021 in North Tatura subdistrict, South Palu District, Palu City, Central Sulawesi, takes a selfie on December 8 to celebrate the 2020 simultaneous regional elections that will be held on December 9.

"The voting process is a test of the state\'s reputation for its commitment to safeguarding democracy and providing protection for the people for its decision to organize regional elections during the pandemic," said Titi. (BOW/INA/SYA/PDS/GIO/DEA/ NIK/OKA/COK/FLO/DIT/ZAK/ JOL/KOR/RAM/ETA/BRO/VIO/ WER/EGI/IKI/RTG/IGA/HLN)